McGraw-Hill Education Offers Comprehensive Career Training Program to Help India Develop Skilled Workforce

McGraw-Hill Education today launched a professional development certification program in India to provide the 21st Century skills and knowledge necessary for a career in India's retail industry. By combining real-world instruction, on-the-job training with leading retailers and job placement assistance for every student, the Certificate Course in Retail Sales and Service ensures participants are 'job ready' upon completion. The 100-hour program will be offered by Tata McGraw-Hill, a joint venture between Tata, India's most admired business group, and McGraw-Hill Education, a global leader in education publishing and services.

Unlike other courses of its kind, this program provides industry-specific, job-oriented content in a blended learning environment that gives students the knowledge, skills and attitude required to secure an entry-level retail position, as well as hands-on training and placement assistance to excel in the field. To ensure industry relevance and practical instruction, the course was developed with the guidance of a panel of industry experts including training and human resources managers, instructors teaching similar courses, and successful retail executives who started their careers as entry-level employees.

"McGraw-Hill Education aims to empower students worldwide with the skills they need to compete in the global economy. By generating positive learning outcomes through career and professional services training in emerging economies, we are filling an important need," said Peter C. Davis, president of McGraw-Hill Education. "Through this effort, we are giving students the hands-on experience and training needed to succeed in India's burgeoning retail market."

Combining educational content and digital tools with real-world knowledge and experience, the course features illustrated role-plays to help participants address and solve real-world situations. Simulations teach concepts using instruction embedded video and videos from subject matter experts and retail employees that give students a clear picture of what to expect from a job in the retail industry in India. Assessment is a critical component of the program, with scored tests for each lesson and a final end of course exam through which participants are tested on 'application' of the knowledge as he or she would be required to perform on the job.

The Certificate Course in Retail Sales and Service, which is initially being offered through a pilot program in Noida, Hyderabad and Mumbai, also provides each student with placement assistance, including an internship during the course as well as post-course placement support with leading retailers like Tata's Westside, Landmark, Titan as well as Pizza Hut, Reebok, Adidas and others.

"As Tata McGraw-Hill expands its Educational Services offerings, we strive to deliver world-class learning solutions to enable students to gain the skills needed to enter and succeed in the job market, instructors to teach effectively and employers to hire successfully," said Ajay Shukla, managing director, Tata McGraw-Hill. "It is estimated that over 50 percent of youth in the Indian labor force are currently underemployed because of a skill deficit. Addressing this gap with the development of content and end-to-end programs that produce workforce-ready students is essential in emerging markets like India."

This program is part of McGraw-Hill Education's larger Educational Services initiative, which was created to address the need for fully customized offerings in emerging markets that go beyond content to complete end-to-end education solutions. Tata McGraw-Hill plans to develop 12 additional professional course certification programs in India across several growing industries - including financial services, hospitality and insurance - over the next two years. In addition to these programs in India, McGraw-Hill will also focus on educational services in emerging markets including China, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

About McGraw-Hill Education:

McGraw-Hill Education is a premier provider of teaching and learning solutions for 21st century post-secondary and education markets worldwide. Through a comprehensive range of traditional and digital education content and tools, McGraw-Hill Education empowers educators and prepares professionals and students of all ages to connect, learn and succeed in the global economy. McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies:

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

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